Manhattan Real Estate

Manhattan Living and Culture

With a population of 1.6 million residing in an area of about 34 square-miles, Manhattan represents the epitome of big city life. Brimming with theaters, museums, restaurants, universities, quirky neighborhoods, and historic attractions, Manhattan is the ideal living choice for those who truly enjoy the urban lifestyle and the culture that comes with it.

The oldest and most densely-populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Manhattan is bounded by the Hudson River to the west and the East River on the east. Commonly divided into three different sections – Downtown (or Lower), Midtown, and Upper – Manhattan’s streets are, for the most part, laid out in a strict grid plan, making it easy for even newcomers to navigate their way through the city’s crowded streets.

Given Manhattan’s diversity, neighborhoods within the borough are unique and fun to explore.

Many neighborhoods are associated with New York’s so-called “Bohemian” subculture, created by the number of artists looking for their big break in the Big Apple. Neighborhoods rich with artistic influence include Greenwich Village. Alphabet City (made famous in the Broadway show “Rent”), the Lower East Side. and the East Village. These neighborhoods are complemented nicely by upscale areas such as: SoHo. the Upper East Side. and the Upper West Side. by far some of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the United States.

Other neighborhoods boast names that are indicative of those who’ve made their home there over the years. Little Italy, Chinatown and Koreatown are where most immigrants settled upon arriving from Europe and Asia. Chinatown is now home to one of the largest Chinese populations in America.

Harlem. having experienced a renaissance of sorts in the late 20th century, is benefitting from renewed interest and is home to numerous theaters and other arts centers.

Those who live in Manhattan thrive on its fast pace and rich culture. Walking the streets of Manhattan is a common and necessary means of transportation, while public transportation also covers the entire borough and whisks riders to surrounding boroughs as well.

Manhattanites do, however, have at their disposal plenty of places to unwind and relax. Expansive Central Park, one of the largest city parks in the country, is spread over 843 acres and attracts some 35 million visitors annually, according to the NYC tourist bureau. Locals love it too and head there not only to walk, bicycle, skate, or jog, but also to enjoy the park’s pretty lakes, visit the Central Park Zoo or Conservatory Garden, or take in a production at the Delacorte Theater.

Other areas of the city, like Lower Manhattan, have strived to provide as much green space as possible for local residents and, as such, have begun to attract young families with a desire to combine the convenience of city living with a healthy lifestyle for themselves and their children.

No city in the U.S. boasts the wealth of arts-related activities than one can find in Manhattan. More than 40 large professional theaters line Broadway, providing locals and visitors with a choice of plays and musicals unrivaled anywhere else in the world. Each year, approximately $1 billion in tickets are sold for Broadway shows, and new and promising careers are constantly launched from the stages of its theaters.

Manhattan also boasts a huge concentration of art museums that boast prominent displays of artworks ranging from historic to contemporary. Museums of interest include the famous Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). American Museum of Natural History. The Whitney Museum of American Art. The Frick Collection. and The Guggenheim Museum .

At least 75 other museums, large and small, are scattered throughout Manhattan and regularly provide locals with special programs for both adults and children, including workshops and even summer camps.

There are literally hundreds and hundreds of restaurants located in Manhattan, representing a wide variety of cuisine. Indeed, many of the world’s top chefs have made the city their home and their eclectic restaurants attract foodies from around the globe.

However, the most enticing eateries in the city might just be the small mom-and-pop establishments that serve homemade food using fresh local ingredients. They are often the true gems of the Manhattan dining scene.